A multi-disciplinary programme that examines the major economic and social issues facing governments across the world, while exploring the English language, how it works in society and its role in the world today.

Employed Aston English Studies graduates earn £4,800 (27%) more than the UK average one year after graduating, according to the government's Longitudinal Education Outcomes survey (LEO).

A Level applicants who select this course as their Firm UCAS choice may be eligible for our lowered offer scheme. This means that the grades that you will need in order to be accepted on to the course will be reduced.

We welcome applications from students who have tried to improve their examination grades by taking resits. We treat these applications in exactly the same way as other applications.

*Applicants who select this course as their Firm UCAS choice may be eligible for our lowered offer scheme. This means that the A Level grades that you will need in order to be accepted on to the course will be reduced.

32 points in the IB diploma (including TOK/Bonus points) with 6,5,5 at HL.

Standard level Maths and English grade 5 required in lieu of GCSE English and Maths grade C/4.

Applicants who select this course as their Firm UCAS choice may be eligible for our lowered offer scheme. This means that the grades that you will need in order to be accepted on to the course will be reduced.

Pass Access to HE Diploma with Merit in each module. Humanities, Social Sciences or Business Access course preferred, but other courses considered on an individual basis.

EPQ: A Level applicants who meet our offer criteria will be made the standard offer for their programme of choice, plus an alternative offer which will be one grade lower plus a grade B in EPQ providing this course is selected as their Firm UCAS choice.

Other qualifications: If your qualification is not listed, please contact us using the form at the bottom of the page

Foundation Programme in Social Science (Aston University): For students with good A-level (or equivalent) grades, but who narrowly miss our standard requirements, it is also possible to gain entry to this course by completing a Foundation Year, although please note the progression requirements

Whilst the grades listed here are our entry requirements, we understand that predicted grades are only an estimate. We will therefore consider applicants with predicted grades that fall below these entry requirements if the application is of a high standard (however, initial offers will not be lower than stated below).

In addition to your predicted grades, when making offers we also consider your previous academic performance (eg GCSEs), your school/college reference and the commitment and motivation you demonstrate for your chosen course via the personal statement.

Application for second year entry will be considered by the programme director if there is space on that year of the programme. Typically, successful applicants for second year entry will:

Have A level (or equivalent) qualifications similar to those required for first year entry

Have gained (or be expected to gain) 120 credits on an equivalent programme at another recognised university

Obtained (or be expected to obtain) an overall average of 60% or above on an equivalent programme at another recognised university

Have not previously attempted the second year of a programme elsewhere

Individual programmes may have additional requirements in addition to those stated above. These will be clarified upon application.

The information contained on this website details the typical entry requirements for this course for the most commonly offered qualifications. Applicants with alternative qualifications may wish to enquire with the relevant admissions teams prior to application whether or not their qualifications are deemed acceptable. For less commonly encountered qualifications this will be judged on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the academic admissions tutor.

Our BSc in English Language and Social Policy takes a practical approach to the teaching of English Language and Social Policy, through the optional placement year and professionally relevant modules which draw directly on Aston's cutting-edge research. You will gain a theoretical knowledge and understanding of the English language, how it works in society and its role in the world today. You will also investigate the economic, social and political forces which influence policy and give rise to conflicts between the achievement of economic, environmental and social objectives. Important strengths of the course include the research-active teaching staff who are internationally recognised researchers in fields such as gender, race and racism, sociology of education, ageing, healthcare, sociology of human reproduction, critical policy analysis, multi-national enterprises and location, forensic linguistics, language and gender and TESOL studies. The professional placement year is an optional feature of the programme and is designed to give our students a distinct advantage on the graduate labour market. The programme is geared towards increasing your employability since it is designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills required of professionals working in the public, private and voluntary sectors.

For further information, see the English Language Joint Honours programme specification and the Social Policy Joint Honours programme specification.

Sample module options: The modules below are indicative only. When an offer is made, students will receive a detailed programme specification which forms part of our terms and conditions.

Social Problems and Public Policies A LK1012 Social Problems and Public Policies B LK1013 Becoming a Social Scientist LK1011

Year 2

Core modules: Research Methods in Language and Communication LE2019 Variations of English LE2053 Working with Language Data LE2032

Crime Subversion and Injustice LK2006Welfare States and Welfare Change LK2015Government and Globalisation LB2010 Comparing and Evaluating Public Policies LK2016

Choice of options to total 20 credits:Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (20 Credit) LE2055 Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (10 Credit) LE2012 Language at Work LE2007 Computer-mediated communication LE2057 The Language of the Law LE2056 Language in the News Media LE2022 Work Based Project (10 Credit) LE2058OR Work Based Project (20 Credit) LE2059

And choice of options to total 30 credits: Environmental Policy LK2014 Government and Management LK2011 Embodiment and Feminist Theory LK2005 The Social Life of Stuff LK2018 Global Society LK2004 Media and Society LK2007 Kith and Kin: Family in a Social Context LK2017

Choice of options to total 30 credits: Corporate Power in a Globalised World LK3004 Dissertation LK3001 Work, Organisations and Society LK3008 Racism, class and gender LK3010 Contemporary social movements LK3011 Learning to Labour? Education and Society LK3007 Religion and Society LK3014 Sport and Society LK3012 Pregnancy and Politics: Cultural Norms and Family Policy LK3013 Kith and Kin: Family in a Social Context LK3020 Popular Music and Society LK3016 The Challenge of Climate Change LY3031

You will be involved in: lectures, tutorials, seminars, e-seminars, small-group work, project work and independent study. Many of your modules will be in workshop format, alternating theoretical input with practical analysis, and allowing you to test out your understanding in discussion with other students and your tutor. There are also opportunities for group and collaborative work. Students undertake a major piece of independent research in final year.

You will be allocated a Personal Tutor when you join us and you will be encouraged to make regular contact with them throughout your studies. Personal Tutors are there to help discuss academic and, in some cases, personal issues. Personal Tutors can also often offer support by writing references for placement/graduate employment and academic research.

Assessment is through a combination of written and oral exams, coursework, essays, translation tasks, presentations and an extended dissertation during your Final Year. Exams take place in January and May/June.

The placement year is optional for students studying English Language and Social Policy. If you choose to take a placement year, this will take place during your third year at Aston and is worth 10% of the final degree result. Unlike some other universities, the placement year at Aston is not a ''bolt-on'' year it is an integral part of your degree for which you are prepared in your second year.

A distinctive feature of our placement year is the flexibility that we offer. You will be able to choose between undertaking a paid work-experience placement with a company or working as a teaching assistant in a school (either in the UK or abroad) - you might even choose to combine two of these options.

We are extremely proud of the high level of preparation, orientation and support that we provide before and during your year abroad. We have a full-time Placements Team who will give you plenty of individual help and advice, and even come and visit you during your time away.